Fluoropolymer emulsions

ABSTRACT

A fluoropolymer composition comprising monomers copolymerized in the following percentages by weight:
         (a) from about 20% to about 95% of a fluoroalkyl monomer, or mixture of monomers, of formula (I)       

       R f   1 -L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH 2    (I) 
     wherein 
     R f   1  is a monovalent, partially or fully fluorinated, linear or branched, alkyl radical having from about 2 to about 100 carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 50 oxygen atoms; wherein the ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atoms is at least about 2:1 and no oxygen atoms are bonded to each other; 
     L is a linear or branched divalent linking group having 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 4 hetero-radicals selected from the group consisting or —O—, —NR 1 —, —S—, —SO—, —SO 2 —, —N(R 1 )C(O)—; wherein R 1  is H or C 1  to C 6  alkyl; 
     X is —O—, —NR 1 —, or —S—; 
     R is hydrogen, Cl, F or CH 3 ;
         (b) from about 5% to about 80% of at least one of:
           (i) an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer having a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group of from about 6 to about 18 carbons; or   (ii) one or more ionizable water solvatable monomers; and   
           (c) from about 0.05% to about 2% polymerizable nanoparticles.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a composition comprising a fluorinatedcopolymer emulsion useful for imparting oil repellency and waterrepellency to textiles, the copolymer derived from polymerization ofmonomers comprising fluorinated acrylates, alkyl(meth)acrylates and/orwater solvatable monomers, and polymerizable nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various compositions are known to be useful as treating agents toprovide surface effects to substrates. Surface effects includerepellency to moisture, soil, and stains, and other effects, which areparticularly useful for fibrous substrates such as fibers, fabrics,textiles, carpets, paper, leather, and other such substrates. Many suchtreating agents are fluorinated polymers or copolymers.

Fluorinated polymer compositions having utility as fibrous substratetreating agents generally contain pendant perfluoroalkyl groups whichare generally attached by various connecting groups to polymerizablegroups not containing fluorine. The resulting monomer is then generallycopolymerized with other monomers, which confer additional favorableproperties to the substrates. Various specialized monomers may beincorporated to impart improved cross-linking, latex stability andsubstantively. Since each ingredient may impart some potentiallyundesirable properties in addition to its desirable ones, the specificcombination is directed to the desired use.

U.S. Patent Application 2005/0095933 discloses compositions for treatingtextiles formed by combining a repellent component, a stain resistcomponent, a stain release component, and particles. Variouscommercially available fluorinated polymers are employed as therepellent component and the particles are inorganic oxides or basicmetal salts. The fluorinated polymers and particles are separately addedto a solution, and thus represent a mixture of the polymer and particle,which is applied to the substrate to be treated.

The expense of the fluorinated polymer dictates that it be used at lowerlevels in treating substrates to provide surface effects. However,reducing the level of fluorine by using polymers containing shorterchained perfluoroalkyl groups of six carbons or less has not beencommercially successful. Thus there is a need for compositions fortreating substrates which impart surface effects including waterrepellency, oil repellency, soil resistance, soil release, stainresistance and stain release, and other effects, which maintain levelsof performance, while using less of the expensive fluorinated component.The present invention provides such a composition.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises a fluoropolymer composition comprisingmonomers copolymerized in the following percentages by weight:

-   -   (a) from about 20% to about 95% of a fluoroalkyl monomer, or        mixture of monomers, of formula (I)

R_(f) ¹-L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (I)

wherein

R_(f) ¹ is a monovalent, partially or fully fluorinated, linear orbranched, alkyl radical having from about 2 to about 100 carbon atoms;optionally interrupted by 1 to about 50 oxygen atoms; wherein the ratioof carbon atoms to oxygen atoms is at least about 2:1 and no oxygenatoms are bonded to each other;

L is a linear or branched divalent linking group having 1 to about 20carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 4 hetero-radicalsselected from the group consisting or —O—, —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—,—N(R¹)C(O)—; wherein R¹ is H or C₁ to C₆ alkyl;

-   -   X is —O—, —NR¹—, or —S—;    -   R is hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃;    -   (b) from about 5% to about 80% of at least one of:        -   (i) an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer having a linear, branched            or cyclic alkyl group of from about 6 to about 18 carbons;            or        -   (ii) one or more ionizable water solvatable monomers; and    -   (c) from about 0.05% to about 2% polymerizable nanoparticles,        said composition providing oil repellency and water repellency        to substrates contacted therewith.

The present invention further comprises a method of treating a fibroussubstrate to impart oil repellency and water repellency comprisingapplying to the surface of the substrate a fluoropolymer as describedabove.

The present invention further comprises a fibrous substrate havingapplied to its surface an emulsion polymer as disclosed above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Herein all trademarks are designated with capital letters.

The term “(meth)acrylate” encompasses esters of methacrylic acid andacrylic acid unless specifically stated otherwise. For instance,hexyl(meth)acrylate encompasses both hexyl acrylate and hexylmethacrylate.

All patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Herein the terms “fluorinated acrylate(s)” “fluorinated thioacrylate(s)”and “fluorinated acrylamide(s)” refer to compounds of formula (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), and (Ie) as described below, wherein R is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, Cl, F, and CH₃, unless specificallydefined otherwise.

The present invention provides compositions for imparting surfaceeffects to substrates in which fluorinated polymers have particlesincorporated during the polymerization reaction used to form thepolymers. Thus the particles are part of the polymer chemical structure.The particles have reactive functionalities on their surfaces, and arereacted during polymerization in the synthesis of either solution basedor emulsion based fluorinated polymers. The resulting compositionprovides enhanced performance and durability of surface effects totreated substrates compared to traditional commercially availabletreatment agents not containing particles, or compared to compositionswherein treatment agents are physically mixed with particles in atreatment bath prior to application. It has been found thatincorporation of small amounts as low as 0.1% by weight of a particleinto the polymer structure is effective to enhance performance.Preferably from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, more preferably fromabout 0.1% to about 3% by weight, and more preferably from about 0.1% toabout 1% by weight, of the particle component is incorporated into thepolymer. This invention permits use of lower amounts of traditionaltreatment agents, or use of agents containing short perfluoroalkylchains of less than 8 carbon atoms (and thus containing less fluorine)without any decrease in performance.

The composition of the present invention comprises a fluoropolymercomposition comprising monomers copolymerized in the followingpercentages by weight:

-   -   (a) from about 20% to about 95% of a fluoroalkyl monomer, or        mixture of monomers, of formula (I)

R_(f) ¹-L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (I)

wherein

-   -   R_(f) ¹ is a monovalent, partially or fully fluorinated, linear        or branched, alkyl radical having from about 2 to about 100        carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by methylene, ethylene, or        1 to about 50 oxygen atoms; wherein the ratio of carbon atoms to        oxygen atoms is at least about 2:1 and no oxygen atoms are        bonded to each other;    -   L is a linear or branched divalent linking group having 1 to        about 20 carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 4        hetero-radicals selected from the group consisting or —O—,        —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)C(O)—; wherein R¹ is H or C₁ to        C₆ alkyl;    -   X is —O—, —NR¹—, or —S—;    -   R is hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃;    -   (b) from about 5% to about 80% of at least one of:        -   (iii) an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer having a linear,            branched or cyclic alkyl group of from about 6 to about 18            carbons; or        -   (iv) one or more ionizable water solvatable monomers; and    -   (c) from about 0.05% to about 2% polymerizable nanoparticles,        said composition providing oil repellency and water repellency        to substrates contacted therewith.

The compositions of the present invention are prepared by copolymerizing(a) a fluoroalkyl monomer, (b) an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer or anionizable water solvatable monomer, and (c) a polymerizablenanoparticle.

The copolymer compositions require as component (a) a fluoroalkylmonomer of formula (I)

R_(f)-L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (I)

wherein the various groups R_(f) ¹, L, X and R are as defined above.

Preferred R_(f) ¹ groups include

-   F(CF₂)_(n), F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂CF₂)_(p), F(CF₂)_(n)    (CH₂)_(x)[(CF₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)]_(m), F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF₂)_(n),    F(CF₂)_(n)OCFHCF₂, or-   F(CF₂)_(n)[OCF₂CF(CF₃)]_(p)[OCF₂CF₂]_(q), wherein n is 1 to about 6;    x is 1 to about 6; p, q, and m are each independently 1 to about 3;    and r is 0 or 1.

Preferred L is a bond, R⁵, R⁵-A, A, or ethylene oxide, wherein A isC₁-C₆ alkyl and R⁵ is a divalent radical selected from the groupconsisting of —S(CH₂)_(u)—,

u is an integer of from about 2 to about 4;

s is an integer of 1 to about 50; and

R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl groupcontaining 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.

Preferably the monomers (I) are selected from the group consisting offormulas (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), and (Ie):

F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(t)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (Ia)

F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (Ib)

F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(x)[(CF₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)]_(m)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂  (Ic)

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF₂)_(n)CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))(R⁵)_(r))X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (Id)

F(CF₂)_(n)—OCFHCF₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(v)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (Ie)

wherein

X is —O—, —NR¹—; or —S—;

n is an integer of 1 to about 6;

t is an integer of 1 to about 10;

x is an integer of 1 to about 6;

p, q, and m are each independently an integer of 1 to about 3;

r is 0 or 1;

v is an integer of 1 to about 4;

R⁵ is a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of—S(CH₂)_(u)—,

u is an integer of from about 2 to about 4;

s is an integer of 1 to about 50; and

R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl groupcontaining 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.

The fluorinated acrylates and fluorinated thioacrylates of formula (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), and (Ie) useful in forming the compositions of theinvention are prepared from the corresponding fluorinated alcohols andfluorinated thiols by esterification with acrylic acid, methacrylicacid, 2-chloroacrylic acid or 2-fluoroacrylic acid. Further details aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,905 and European Patent Application1632542 A1. Alternatively, acrylate and methacrylate esters of formula(Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), and (Ie) can be made from the correspondingnitrate esters according to the procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,890,376.

The fluorinated acrylamides of formula (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), and (Ie),wherein X═—N(R)— useful in forming the compositions of the invention,are prepared from the corresponding fluorinated amines by condensationwith acrylic acid chloride, methacrylic acid chloride, 2-chloroacrylicacid chloride or 2-fluoroacrylic acid chloride in the presence of abase, for instance, triethylamine (TEA). Typically a nonhydroxylichydrocarbon solvent such as toluene or xylenes or a halocarbon such asdichloromethane is used in the condensation.

Fluorinated alcohols useful in forming the fluorinated acrylates offormula (1) suitable for use in the present invention include those offormulas (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc), and (IIId):

F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(t)OH   (IIIa)

F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)OH   (IIIb)

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)OH   (IIIc)

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF₂)_(n)CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH   (IIId)

F(CF₂)_(n)—OCFHCF₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(v)OH   (IIIe)

wherein

n, p, q, t, and v are as disclosed above.

In formula (IIIa) the perfluoroalkyl group preferably is linear,although compositions containing branched-chain perfluoroalkyl groupsare suitable. Fluorinated alcohols of formula (IIIa) useful in theinvention are available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company Inc.,Wilmington, Del. 19898 USA. A mixture of fluorinated alcohols can beused in the formation of acrylates of formula (Ia). For instance, aperfluoroalkylethyl alcohol mixture of the formula F(CF₂)_(h)CH₂CH₂OH,wherein h ranged from 6 to 14, and is predominantly 6, 8, and 10; or apurified fraction can be used. The perfluoroalkylethanols, wherein t is2, and R_(f) ² has 4 or 6 carbon atoms, are available by fractionaldistillation of the commercially available telomer mixture ofperfluoroalkylethanols. Specific fluorinated alcohols of formula (IIIa)that are commercially available include 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-1-hexanol,1H,1H,-perfluoro-1-hexanol, and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-1-octanol.

Fluorinated telomer alcohols of formula (IIIb), wherein R_(f) ³ is alinear or branched perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, areavailable by synthesis according to Scheme 1.

The telomerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with linear or branchedperfluoroalkyl iodides is well known, and produces compounds of thestructure R_(f) ³(CH₂CF₂)_(q)I, wherein p is 1 or more and R_(f) ³ is aC₁ to C₆, and preferably a C₄ to C₆, perfluoroalkyl group. For example,see Balague, et al, “Synthesis of fluorinated telomers, Part 1,Telomerization of vinylidene fluoride with perfluoroalkyl iodides”, J.Flour Chem. (1995), 70(2), 215-23. The specific telomer iodides areisolated by fractional distillation. The telomer iodides can be treatedwith ethylene by procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,469, toprovide the telomer ethylene iodides (VI) wherein q is 1 to 3 or more.The telomer ethylene iodides (VI) can be treated with oleum andhydrolyzed to provide the corresponding telomer alcohols (IIIb)according to procedures disclosed in WO 95/11877. Alternatively, thetelomer ethylene iodides (VI) can be treated with N-methyl formamidefollowed by ethyl alcohol/acid hydrolysis.

Specific fluorinated telomer alcohols (IIIa), and (IIIb) derived fromtelomerization of vinylidene fluoride and ethylene, and useful informing fluorinated acrylates useful in the invention include thoselisted in Table 1A. The groups C₃F₇, C₄F₉, and C₆F₁₃, referred to in thelist of specific alcohols, in Tables 1A and 1B, and in the examplesherein, refer to linear perfluoroalkyl groups unless specificallyindicated otherwise.

TABLE 1A Compound Structure A1 C₄F₉CH₂CH₂OH, A2 C₄F₉(CH₂CH₂)₂OH, A3C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂OH, A4 C₆F₁₃(CH₂CH₂)₂OH, A5 C₆F₁₃(CH₂CH₂)₃OH, A6C₄F₉CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, A7 C₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH, A8 C₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₃CH₂CH₂OH,A9 C₄F₉CH₂CF₂(CH₂CH₂)₂OH, A10 C₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₂(CH₂CH₂)₂OH, A11C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, A12 C₆F₁₃(CH₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH, A13C₆F₁₃(CH₂CF₂)₃CH₂CH₂OH, A14 C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂(CH₂CH₂)₂OH, A15C₆F₁₃(CH₂CF₂)₂(CH₂CH₂)₂OH.

Fluorinated alcohols of formula (IIIc), wherein p is 1 and R_(f) ³ is alinear or branched perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms areavailable by synthesis according to Scheme 2.

The perfluoroalkyl ether iodides (XI) are made by the proceduredescribed in Example 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,028, using perfluoroalkylvinyl ethers as a starting point. In the second reaction in Scheme 2,the perfluoroalkyl ether iodide (XI) is reacted with an excess ofethylene at an elevated temperature and pressure to provide telomerethyl iodide (XII). While the addition of ethylene can be carried outthermally, the use of a suitable catalyst is preferred. Preferably thecatalyst is a peroxide catalyst such as benzoyl peroxide, isobutyroylperoxide, propionyl peroxide, or acetyl peroxide. More preferably theperoxide catalyst is benzoyl peroxide. The temperature of the reactionis not limited, but a temperature in the range of 110° C. to 130° C. ispreferred. The reaction time may vary with the catalyst and reactionconditions, but we have found 24 hours (h) to be adequate. The productcan be purified by any means that separates unreacted starting materialfrom the final product, but distillation is preferred. Satisfactoryyields up to 80% of theory have been obtained using about 2.7 mols ofethylene per mole of perfluoalkyl ether iodide, a temperature of 110° C.and autogenous pressure, a reaction time of 24 h, and purifying theproduct by distillation. The perfluoroalkylether ethyl iodides (XII) canbe treated with oleum and hydrolyzed to provide the correspondingalcohols (IIIc) according to procedures disclosed in WO 95/11877.Alternatively, the perfluoroalkylether ethyl iodides can be treated withN-methyl formamide followed by ethyl alcohol/acid hydrolysis.

The higher homologs of (IIIc) wherein p is 2 or 3 are available bytelomerization of tetrafluoroethylene with the perfluoroalkyl etheriodides (XI) wherein p is 1, followed by isolation of specific telomersby distillation, and then telomerization with ethylene. The higherhomologs (q is 2 or 3) of telomer ethylene iodides are available withexcess ethylene at high pressure.

Specific fluorinated alcohols (IIIc) useful in forming fluorinatedacrylates useful in the invention include those listed in Table 1B

TABLE 1B Compound Structure B1 C₂F₅OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, B2C₂F₅O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH, B3 C₃F₇OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, B4C₃F₇O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH, B5 C₄F₉OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, B6C₄F₉O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH, B7 C₆F₁₃OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH, B8C₆F₁₃O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH,

The corresponding thiols of alcohols (IIIa) (IIIb) and (IIIc) areavailable from the telomer ethylene iodides by treatment with a varietyof reagents according to procedures described in J. Fluorine Chemistry,104, 2 173-183 (2000). One example is the reaction of the telomerethylene iodides with sodium thioacetate, followed by hydrolysis, asshown in the following scheme:

In fluoroalcohols of formula (IIId) the perfluoroalkyl group is aperfluoroalkylether. Preferred perfluoroalkyl ether alcohols areselected from the group consisting of:

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(w)CF(CF₃)CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(w)CF(CF₃)CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(CF₂)_(n)OCF[CF₂O(C₃F₆O)_(w1)CF₂CF₃]CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(w)CF₂CF₂CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(CF₂)_(n)(CF₂)_(n)CFO(C₃F₆O)_(w2)CF(CF₃)CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(C₃F₆O)_(w1)CF(CF₃)CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(C₃F₆O)_(w1)CF(CF₃)CH₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(C₃F₆O)_(y)(CF₂O)_(m)CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

F(C₃F₆O)_(w3)(C₂F₄O)_(w5)(CF₂O)_(w4)CF₂CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))OH;

wherein

t is an integer of 1 to about 10;

w, w1, w2, w3, w4, and w5 are each independently an integer from 2 toabout 25; and

C₃F₆O is linear or branched.

The perfluoropolyether alkyl alcohols of formula (IIId), useful in theinvention, have an average molecular weight of about 350 to about 5000,preferably about 1000 to about 2000; and more preferably about 1500 toabout 2000. U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,511, incorporated herein by reference;and US 2006/0287559 disclose synthetic methods useful in preparing thealcohols of formula (IIId). Other lower molecular weightperfluoroalkylether alcohols for preparing acrylates useful incompositions of the invention are B9 to B14:

CF₃OCF(CF₃)CF₂OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH,   B9

CF₃OCF(CF₃)CF₂O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH,   B10

C₂F₅OCF(CF₃)CF₂OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH,   B11

C₂F₅OCF(CF₃)CF₂O(CF₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH,   B12

C₃F₇OCF(CF₃)CF₂OCF₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH,   B13

C₃F₇OCF(CF₃)CF₂O(CF₂CF₂)₂CHCH₂CH₂OH,   B14

The fluoroalcohols of formula (IIIe), used to make composition of thepresent invention are available from the following reaction:

F(CF₂)_(n)—O—CF═CF₂+H(OCH₂CH₂)_(v)OH→F(CF₂)_(n)—OCFHCF₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(v)OH

wherein

F(CF₂)_(n) is a C₁ to C₆ linear or branched chain perfluoroalkyl group;and

v is 1 to about 4, preferably from 1 to 2, more preferably 2.

Preferred compounds of Formula (IIIe) are those wherein c is 3 or 4, gis 2, and v is 1 or 2.

Compounds of formula (IIIe) are prepared by the reaction of aperfluoroalkyl vinyl ether with a diol in the presence of an alkalimetal compound. Preferred ethers include those of formulaF(CF₂)_(n)—O—CF═CF₂ wherein n is one to six carbons. Preferred diolsinclude diethylene glycol. The diol is used at about 1 to about 15 molsper mol of ether, preferably from about 1 to about 5 mols per mol ofether. Suitable alkali metal compounds include an alkali metal, alkaliearth metal, alkali hydroxide, alkali hydride, or an alkali amide.Preferred are alkali metals such as Na, K or Cs or alkali hydrides suchas NaH or KH. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of from aboutambient temperature to about 120° C., preferably from about 40° C. toabout 120° C. The reaction can be conducted in an optional solvent, suchas ether or nitrile.

One preferred embodiment is a composition of the invention, as disclosedabove, wherein formula (I) is formula (Ia); further wherein F(CF₂)_(n)is C₄ to C₆ perfluoroalkyl group, and further wherein X═—O—.

Another preferred embodiment is a composition of the invention, asdisclosed above, wherein formula (I) is formula (Ib); preferably whereinF(CF₂)_(n) is C₄ to C₆ perfluoroalkyl group; more preferably wherein pand q are 1; and more preferably wherein X is —O—.

Another preferred embodiment is a composition of the invention, asdisclosed above, wherein formula (I) is formula (Ic); preferably whereinF(CF₂)_(n) is C₄ to C₆ perfluoroalkyl group; more preferably wherein pand q are 1; and more preferably wherein X is —O—.

Another preferred embodiment is a composition of the invention, asdisclosed above, wherein formula (I) is formula (Id); and furtherwherein subscript n is 2 to 6; and preferably wherein X is —O—.

Another preferred embodiment is a composition of the invention, asdisclosed above, wherein formula (I) is formula (Ie); and furtherwherein F(CF₂)_(n) is C₄ to C₆ perfluoroalkylether group; and preferablywherein X is —O—.

The fluoroalkyl monomer is copolymerized with an alkyl(meth)acrylatemonomer or a water solvatable monomer. Component (b) (i) is hereindefined as one or more alkyl(meth)acrylates wherein said alkyl is alinear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon having 6 to 18 carbons. Specificmonomers useful in component (b) include stearyl(meth)acrylate,lauryl(meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate,tridecyl(meth)acrylate, hexyl(meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate,and others. Preferred monomers are stearyl(meth)acrylate,2-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate, hexyl(meth)acrylate,cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, lauryl(meth)acrylate, tridecyl(meth)acrylate,or a mixture thereof. Of the foregoing, stearyl acrylate and stearylmethacrylate are most preferred. Such monomers are commerciallyavailable.

Component (b)(ii), the ionizable water solvatable monomers, useful inpreparing the fluoropolymer compositions of the invention areethylenically unsaturated monomers, having an ionizable group such as acarboxylic acid, phosphate, sulfonate, sulfinate, or metal salt thereof;and nitrogen bases such as primary, secondary, and tertiary amine bases,and aromatic amine bases such as pyridine derivatives, wherein thenitrogen is from about 40% to 100% salinized. By “salinized” is meantthat the nitrogen is protonated, alkylated with a linear or branchedalkyl or arylalkyl group, for instance benzyl, having 1 to 20 carbonatoms; or a combination thereof.

Preferred ionizable water solvatable monomer(s) of component (b)(ii) areselected from the group consisting of formula (IIa) through (IIh):

M¹OC(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (IIa)

(R¹)₂N-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (IIb)

M¹OC(O)-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (IIc)

(M¹O)_(3-k)P(O)[-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂]_(k)   (IId)

M¹OS(O)₂-L¹¹-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (IIe)

M¹OS(O)₂-L¹¹-C(R)═CH₂   (IIf)

M¹OS(O)₂—C(R)═CH₂   (IIg)

M¹OS(O)-L¹¹-C(R)═CH₂   (IIh)

wherein

R is hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃;

R¹ is H or C₁ to C₆ alkyl;

M¹ is a hydrogen or cation, and preferred cations are alkali metalcations, such as sodium, potassium and lithium cations; and ammoniumcations, such as ammonium, tetramethylammonium, and monoethanolammoniumions;

L¹¹ is an organic linking group having 2 to about 20 carbon atoms,optionally interrupted by one or two hetero-radicals selected from thegroup consisting of —O—, —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, and—OC(O)—;

-   -   X is —O—, —NR¹—, or —S—; and    -   k is 1 or 2;        and wherein the nitrogen in formula (IIb) is from about 40% to        100% salinized.

Water solvatable monomers of formula (IIa) include acrylic and(meth)acrylic acid and their alkali metal salts. Water solvatablemonomers of formula (IIb) include 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl acrylateand 3-(N,N,-diimethylamino)propyl acrylate. Water solvatable monomers offormula (IIc) include 2-methacryloyloxyethyl succinic acid,2-methacryloyloxyethyl phthalic acid, 2-methacryloyloxyethylhexhydrophthalic acid, 2-acryloyloxypropyl phthalic acid, and2-acryloyloxypropyl hexahydrophthalic acid. Water solvatable monomers offormula (IId) include 2-methacryloyloxyethyl acid phosphate, and2-methacryloyloxypropyl acid phosphate. Water solvatable monomers offormula (IIe) include 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid,2-sulfoethyl acrylate, 2-sulfopropyl acrylate, 4-sulfophenyl acrylate,2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl acrylate; and 4-methacrylamidobenzene sulfonicacid. Water solvatable monomers of formula (IIf) include 4-vinylbenzenesulfonic acid and sodium 3-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropane sulfonate. Watersolvatable monomers of formula (IIg) include vinyl sulfonic acid. Watersolvatable monomers of formula (IIh) include 4-vinylbenzene sulfinicacid.

The third reactant in the copolymerization is at least one polymerizablenanoparticle. The polymerizable nanoparticles suitable for use in thecompositions of the invention can be any inorganic oxide particle havingethylenically unsaturated groups linked to the particle surface, suchthat the particle has the capability to covalently bond to thefluoropolymer during copolymerization. Ethylenically unsaturated groupsinclude (meth)acrylates, maleates, maleimides, fumerates, styrenes andsubstituted styrenes, unsaturated hydrocarbons including vinyl, allyland diene groups. In one preferred embodiment, the polymerizablenanoparticles have ethylenically unsaturated groups that are selectedfrom (meth)acrylates, styrenes, vinyl and allyl groups. A most preferredform of polymerizable nanoparticles are (meth)acrylate-modifiednanoparticles. In one embodiment the polymerizable nanoparticlecomponent comprises inorganic oxides of Si, Ti, Zn, Mn, Al, and Zr.Preferably the inorganic oxides have an average particle size of fromabout 10 to about 500 nm; preferably from about 50 to about 500 nm; morepreferably from about 80 to about 400 nm, and more preferably from about100 to about 300 nm. In one embodiment polymerizable nanoparticles arefumed particles. In another embodiment the polymerizable nanoparticlescomponent is a colloidal particle made by hydrolysis of an alkoxysilane, chlorosilane, metal alkoxide, or metal halide.

Commercially available polymerizable nanoparticles useful in forming thecompositions of the invention include surface modified fumed silicasunder the tradename AEROXIDE® R711 from Degussa, Inc., now EvonikIndustries, Essen, Germany.

The polymerizable nanoparticles useful in the invention can be providedby synthetic modification of nanoparticles. For instance, a commercialfumed inorganic oxide can be treated with a silylating agent comprisingan ethylenically unsaturated group. Examples of silylating agents usefulin the synthesis of polymerizable nanoparticles include3-acryloyloxypropyl trichlorosilane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrichlorosilane, 3-acryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane,3-methacryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, 3-acryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyl triethoxysilane, vinyltrichlorosilane, vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl triethoxysilane, allyltrichlorosilane, allyltrimethoxysilane, allyl triethoxysilane, allyltriisopropylsilane, and allylchlorodimethylsilane. Many of thesesilylating agents are commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Co.,Milwaukee Wis., and/or from Dow Chemical Co., Midland Mich.

Other suitable agents for treating a fumed inorganic oxide include thefollowing:

wherein

X² is Cl (chloride) and —OR⁵ wherein R⁵ is a linear or branched C₁ to C₄alkyl.

The polymerizable nanoparticles can be prepared by treating fumednanoparticles with the above silylating agents under anhydrousconditions in an inert solvent such as a hydrocarbon. The amount ofsilylating agent can be varied as desired to provide the desired level,or equivalent weight, of ethylenically unsaturated groups. The reactionmixture is typically heated to about 40 to 80° C. for 1 to 12 hours tocomplete the reaction. The polymerizable nanoparticles can be isolatedby centrifugation of the reaction mixture. The particles are typicallywashed with further solvent to remove undesired impurities as needed.

Colloidal particles useful in preparing polymerizable nanoparticles forcompositions of the invention include colloidal aluminas, for exampleCATAPAL and DISPAL aluminas available from Vista Chemical Company, WestCreek, N.J.; and colloidal silica suspensions, for instance NALCOsilicas available from Nalco Chemical Company, Naperville, Ill., SNOWTEXfrom Nissan Chemicals, Houston, Tex., and Nano G from Clairant SpecialtyFine Chemicals, Muttenz, Switzerland.

Specialty inorganic oxides at least partially surface-modified withhydrophobic groups, useful in preparing polymerizable nanoparticlesuseful in the invention, can be made by synthesis. One embodiment of theinvention is a composition wherein the polymerizable nanoparticles aresurface modified inorganic oxide particles comprising an oxide of Matoms independently selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zn,Zr, Mn, Al, and combinations thereof; at least one particle having asurface covalently bonded to at least one group represented by formula(IV)

(L²)_(d)(L³)_(c)Si—(O)_(e)—(R⁷)_(f)-(Z¹)_(a)-[C(X¹)]_(x)-(Z²)_(l)-Q  (IV)

wherein:

L² is an oxygen covalently bonded to M; and each L³ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of H, a C₁ to C₂ alkyl, and OH; d andc are each independently integers such that: d is greater than or equalto 1, c is greater than or equal to 0, and d+c is 3;

-   e, f, a, x, and l are each independently 0 or 1;-   R⁷ is C₁ to C₁₂ alkyl, linear or branched-   Z¹ is —NH—;-   X¹ is O or S;-   Z² is NH, N—C(O)—OH, N—C(O)— or OCH₂CH₂N—C(O)— provided that when Z²    is N—C(O)— or OCH₂CH₂N—C(O)— that Q forms a 5 member heterocyclic    ring represented by N—C(O)—CH═CH—C(O)—; and-   Q is selected from the group consisting of a C₂-C₁₂ hydrocarbylene    optionally interrupted by —O—C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or one divalent organic    group.

In one embodiment the surface modified inorganic oxide particles usefulin the compositions of the invention comprise M atoms that are Si.

In another embodiment the copolymer composition further comprises atleast one additional monomer selected from (d), (e), (f), or (g)copolymerized in the following percentage by weight:

-   -   (d) from about 1% to about 35% vinylidene chloride, vinyl        chloride, or vinyl acetate, or a mixture thereof; or    -   (e) from about 0.5% to about 25% of at least one monomer        selected from the group consisting of styrene,        methyl-substituted styrene, chloromethyl-substituted styrene,        2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, ethylenediol di(meth)acrylate,        N-methyloyl(meth)acrylamide, C₁ to C₅ alkyl(meth)acrylate, and a        compound of formula (XX):

R⁸(OCH₂CH₂)_(m)O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (XX)

wherein

-   -   m is 2 to about 10;    -   R⁸ is hydrogen, a C₁ to C₄ alkyl, or CH₂═C(R)C(O)—O—; and    -   each R is hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃; or    -   (f) from about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one monomer of        formula (XXIa), (XXIb) or (XXIc):

wherein

each R is independently hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃;

R⁹ is a linear or branched C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

B¹ is a divalent linear or branched C₂ to C₄ alkylene;

B² is a covalent bond or a divalent linear or branched C₁ to C₄alkylene; and

X is —O—, —NR¹—, or —S—; wherein R¹ is H or C₁-C₆ alkyl; or

-   -   (g) 1% to about 35% of any combination of (d), (e), or (f).

The present invention further comprises a method of treating fibroussubstrates to impart oil repellency and water repellency comprisingapplying to the surface of the substrate a polymer of the invention asdescribed above. The aqueous emulsion of this invention is applieddirectly to a textile or substrate to be rendered oil- andwater-repellent. The emulsion of this invention is applied alone or inadmixture with dilute nonfluorinated polymers, or with other textiletreatment agents or finishes. The composition can be applied at amanufacturing facility, retailer location, or prior to installation anduse, or at a consumer location.

Fibrous substrates suitable for practicing the method of the inventioninclude those as described below. The emulsion polymers of thisinvention are generally applied to fibrous substrates by spraying,dipping, padding, or other well-known methods. The emulsions of theinvention are generally diluted with water to concentrations of fromabout 5 g/L to about 100 g/L, preferably from about 10 g/L to about 50g/L, based upon the weight of the fully formulated emulsion. Afterexcess liquid has been removed, for example by squeeze rolls, thetreated fabric is dried and then cured by heating, for example, to 110°C. to 190° C., for at least 30 seconds, typically 60 to 180 seconds.Such curing enhances repellency and durability. While these curingconditions are typical, some commercial apparatus may operate outsidethese ranges because of its specific design features.

The present invention further comprises a fibrous substrate havingapplied to its surface a polymer of the invention as previouslydescribed. Preferably the treated substrate has a fluorine content offrom about 0.05% by weight to about 0.5% by weight.

Suitable substrates include fibrous substrates. The fibrous substratesinclude woven and nonwoven fibers, yarns, fabrics, fabric blends,textiles, nonwovens, paper, leather, rugs and carpets. These are madefrom natural or synthetic fibers including cotton, cellulose, wool,silk, polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, polyacrylonitrile,polypropylene, rayon, nylon, aramid, and acetate. By “fabric blends” ismeant fabric made of two or more types of fibers. Typically, theseblends are a combination of at least one natural fiber and at least onesynthetic fiber, but also can include a blend of two or more naturalfibers or of two or more synthetic fibers. Carpet substrates can bedyed, pigmented, printed, or undyed. Fibers and yarns in the carpetsubstrates may be dyed, pigmented, printed, or undyed. Carpet substratescan be scoured or unscoured. Substrates to which it is particularlyadvantageous to apply the compounds of the present invention so as toimpart repellency properties include polyamide (such as nylon)polyester, cotton, and blends of polyester and cotton. The nonwovensubstrates include, for example, spunlaced nonwovens, such as SONTARAavailable from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.,and spunbonded-meltblown-spunbonded (SPS) nonwovens.

The emulsions of this invention are useful in rendering the substratesurface repellent to oil and water. The repellency is durable aftermultiple launderings. The polymer emulsions of the present inventionalso have the advantage of providing such repellency while containingshort chain perfluoroalkyl groups having from about 2 to about 7 carbonatoms. The emulsions of the present invention are advantageous in thatthey can be used under a wide variety of application conditions due totheir stability.

The treated substrates of the present invention are useful in a varietyof applications and products such as clothing, protective garments,carpet, upholstery, furnishings, and other uses. Specifically, thepresent invention will concentrate on IPA/water repellency ratings ofthese novel emulsion-based formulations on spunbond-melt blown-spunbond(SMS) polypropylene fabric. The excellent surface properties describedabove help to maintain surface cleanliness and therefore can permitlonger use.

Test Methods and Materials

The following test methods and materials were used in the examplesherein.

Test Method 1—Water Repellency

The water repellency of a treated substrate was measured according tothe DuPont Technical Laboratory Method as outlined in the TEFLON GlobalSpecifications and Quality Control Tests information packet. The testdetermines the resistance of a treated substrate to wetting by aqueousliquids. Drops of water-alcohol mixtures of varying surface tensions areplaced on the fabric and the extent of surface wetting is determinedvisually. The test provides a rough index of aqueous stain resistance.The higher the water repellency rating, the better the resistance thefinished substrate has to staining by water-based substances. Thecomposition of standard test liquids is shown in the following Table 1.Ratings of 0.5 increments are determined by subtracting one half fromthe numbers in Table 1 for borderline passing of the test liquid.

TABLE 1 Standard Test Liquids Composition Water Repellency Vol. %,Isopropyl Composition, Vol. % Rating Number Alcohol Distilled Water 1 298 2 5 95 3 10 90 4 20 80 5 30 70 6 40 60 7 50 50 8 60 40 9 70 30 10 8020 11 90 10 12 100 0

Test Method 2

Hydrostatic pressure is a measure of the pressure needed for deionizedwater to penetrate a test fabric and is measured by the method INDA IST80.4.

It measures the resistance of fabric to the penetration of water understatic pressure. A nonwoven fabric sample, mounted to form the base of areservoir, is subjected to water pressure increasing at a constant rateuntil leakage appears on the lower surface of the fabric. The waterpressure is measured at the hydrostatic head height reached at the firstsign of leakage in three separate areas on the specimen and the resultsaveraged. Results are recorded in cm of water above the sample. Thewater is introduced at a temperature of 27° C.±3° C. from above thefabric sample over a circular area 114±1.3 mm in diameter, at a rate of1.0±0.1 cm of hydrostatic head per second. Testing equipment isavailable from Richmond Machine Company, Philadelphia, Pa. 19134.

TABLE 2 Materials Descriptor Generic name/structure Source AEROXIDE R711Acrylate modified silica Degussa, Dusseldorf, Germany, now EvonikIndustries, Essen, Germany AVITEX ® R Cationic surfactant, 25-30 E. I.du Pont wt % in water de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE BRIJ 58polyethylene glycol Aldrich Chemical Co, hexadecyl ether Milwaukee, WI7-EO methacrylate poly(oxyethylene)-7 Aldrich Chemical Co, methacrylateMilwaukee, WI MAM N-methylol acrylamide Aldrich Chemical Co, Milwaukee,WI HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl Aldrich Chemical Co, methacrylate DDM dodecylmercaptan Aldrich Chemical Co, DPG dipropylene glycol Aldrich ChemicalCo, VAZO 56 WSP 2,2′-azobis-(2- E. I. du Pont methylproprionamide) deNemours dihydrochloride and Company, Wilmington, DE

EXAMPLE 1

An emulsion was prepared by first mixing deionized water (200 g), AVITEXR (5.0 g), BRIJ 58 (5.0 g, 20% by weight in deionized water), AEROXIDER711 fumed silica particles (0.1 g) pre-sonified in1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl methacrylate (22 g), stearyl acrylate (7.3 g)and acetone (1.8 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (7.3 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.50 g) in deionized water(10.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (13.7 g), polyethylene glycolmethacrylate (4.6 g) and acetone (0.9 g) was then added to the cooledreaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 minutes followed by theaddition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water (5.0 g)under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to 50° C. andstirred for 8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol (10 g) anddeionized water (50 g). Gravity filtration of the resulting mixtureusing a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 12.0% solids,and 3.5% F. The emulsion polymer was applied to spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) polypropylene fabric (commercially available fromKimberly Clark, Roswell, Ga.), using a pad bath (dipping) process at a0.10% loading. The fabric was then allowed to air dry and cure at 248°F. for 3 minutes. The fabric was tested for water repellency accordingto Test Method 1 and 2. Results are listed in Table 3.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A

Comparative Example A illustrates the formation of an acrylic emulsionhaving no acrylate-modified nanoparticles present. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (200 g), AVITEX R (5.0 g), BRIJ58 (5.0 g, 20% by weight in deionized water), 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctylmethacrylate (22 g), stearyl acrylate (7.3 g) and acetone (1.8 g). Theresulting mixture was heated to 50° C., sonified and then charged intoflask equipped with a subsurface nitrogen sparge. The mixture wassparged with nitrogen until it reached a temperature below 32° C.Vinylidene chloride (7.3 g) was then added to the mixture under anitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followed by the addition ofa solution of VAZO-56 (0.50 g) in deionized water (10.0 g). The reactionmixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 hours. A sonified mixtureof 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (13.7 g), polyethylene glycol methacrylate(4.6 g) and acetone (0.9 g) was then added to the cooled reactionmixture and allowed to stir for 15 minutes followed by the addition of asolution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water (5.0 g) under a nitrogenblanket. The mixture was then heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 hoursfollowed by the addition of (10 g) hexylene glycol and (50 g) deionizedwater. Gravity filtration of the resulting mixture using a milk filterresulted in an emulsion polymer with 12.7% solids, and 3.7% F. Theemulsion polymer was applied to SMS polypropylene nonwoven fabrics as inExample 1 and was tested for water repellency using Test Method 1.Results are in Table 3.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE B

Comparative Example B illustrates the formation of an acrylate emulsioncontaining non-polymerized acrylate modified particles. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (200 g), AVITEX R (5.0 g), BRIJ58 (5.0 g, 20% by weight in deionized water), 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctylmethacrylate (22 g), stearyl acrylate (7.3 g) and acetone (1.8 g). Theresulting mixture was heated to 50° C., sonified and then charged into aflask equipped with a subsurface nitrogen sparge. The mixture wassparged with nitrogen until it reached a temperature below 32° C.Vinylidene chloride (7.3 g) was then added to the mixture under anitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 min followed by the addition of asolution of VAZO-56 (0.50 g) in deionized water (10.0 g). The reactionmixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h. A mixture of2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (13.7 g), polyethylene glycol methacrylate(4.6 g) and acetone (0.9 g) was then added to the cooled mixture andstirred for 15 min followed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56(0.25 g) in deionized water (5.0 g). The mixture was then heated to 50°C., stirred for 8 h and then sonified in the presence of hexylene glycol(10 g), deionized water (50 g) and AEROXIDE R711 (0.1 g). Gravityfiltration of the resulting mixture using a milk filter resulted in anemulsion polymer with 12.7% solids, and 3.7% F. The emulsion polymer wasapplied to SMS polypropylene nonwoven fabrics as in Example 1 and wastested for water repellency using Test Method 1. Results are in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Water Hydrostatic pressure Repellency (mmHg) Comp Example A 10510 (67,983 Pa) Example 1 10 620 (82,646 Pa) Comp Example B 2 415(55,319 Pa)

The data in Table 3 demonstrated that Example 1 wherein thenanoparticles were copolymerized into the polymer structure providedequivalent water repellency and higher hydrostatic pressure than theComparative Example A containing no nanoparticles, and superior waterrepellency and higher hydrostatic pressure than Comparative Example Bhaving non-polymerized particles present.

EXAMPLE 2

Ethylene (56 g) was introduced to an autoclave charged withC₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₂I (714 g) and d-(+)-limonene (3.2 g), and the reactorheated at 240° C. for 12 hours. The product was isolated by vacuumdistillation to provide C₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂I. A mixture ofC₄F₉(CH₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂I (10 g, 0.02 mol) and N-methylformamide (8.9 mL,0.15 mol) was heated to 150° C. for 26 hours. The mixture was cooled to100° C., followed by the addition of water to separate the crude ester.Ethyl alcohol (3 mL) and p-toluene sulfonic acid (0.09 g) were added andthe mixture stirred at 70° C. for 0.25 hours. Ethyl formate and ethylalcohol were removed by distillation to give a crude product. The crudeproduct was dissolved in ether, washed with 10 wt % aqueous sodiumsulfite, water and brine, in turn, and dried over magnesium sulfate.Distillation provided the alcohol product, CF₃(CF₂)₃(CH₂CF₂)₂CH₂CH₂OH,(6.5 g, 83% yield): bp 94-95° C. at 2 mm Hg (266 Pascals).

The previously prepared alcohol (400 g) and cyclohexane (308.6 g) wereadded to a round bottomed flask equipped with a stir bar, a Dean-Starktrap and an addition funnel. p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (9.2 g)and 4-methoxyphenol (1.4 g) was charge separately to the flask, 10 whilethe flask was being heated. When the temperature reached 70° C.,methacrylic acid (130.4 g) was added dropwise. After all of themethacrylic acid was added, the flask was insulated and the flasktemperature was raised to 85° C. Reaction was monitored by GC forformation of CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂(PPVE-methacrylate). Once all of the alcohol had reacted, the flask wascooled to room temperature. The mixture was then transferred to aseparation funnel. The flask was rinsed with ethyl ether, and the ethylether wash was then added to the mixture in separation funnel. Thereaction mixture was washed three times with sodium bicarbonate (150 mL,10% w/w solution) and ice and the aqueous layer was removed each time.The reaction mixture was then washed with deionized water (150 mL), andthe aqueous layer was removed. An aliquot of the reaction mixture wastaken and analyzed by GC to ensure all unreacted methacrylic acid wasremoved during the washes. The reaction mixture was transferred to around bottom flask and magnesium sulfate was added to dry the reactionmixture. The reaction mixture was then filtered and the filtered solidswere washed with ethyl ether. The reaction mixture was dried over MgSO₄,filtered, and concentrated in vacuo on a rotary evaporator at highvacuum to give a liquid (10.1 g). Analysis by GC and NMR revealed thereaction mixture was CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂. 1HNMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): 6.12˜6.11 (1H, m), 5.60˜5.59 (1H, m), 4.38 (2H, t,J=6.0 Hz), 2.94˜2.66 (4H, m), 2.38 (2H, t-t, J1=16.5 Hz, J2=6 Hz),1.95˜1.94 (3H, m); MS: 461 (M++1).

An emulsion was prepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEXR (2.5 g), BRIJ 58 (2.5 g, 20 wt % in deionized water), (0.05 g)AEROXIDE R711 fumed silica particles pre-sonified inCF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (8.4 g), stearyl acrylate(3.7 g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g), polyethylene glycolmethacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was then added to the cooledreaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 min followed by the additionof a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionized water (0.13 g) under anitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to 50° C. and stirred for8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol (5 g) and deionizedwater (25 g). Gravity filtration of the resulting mixture using a milkfilter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 16.8% solids, and 3.0% F.The emulsion polymer was applied to spunbond-melt blown-spunbond (SMS)polypropylene fabric available from Kimberly Clark, Roswell, Ga., usinga pad bath (dipping) process at a 0.10% loading. The fabric was thenallowed to air dry and cure at 248° F. for 3 minutes. The fabric wastested for water repellency according to Test Method 1 and 2. Resultsare listed in Table 4.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE C

Comparative Example C illustrates the formation of an acrylic emulsionhaving no acrylate-modified nanoparticles present. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g), BRIJ58 (2.5 g 20% by weight in deionized water),CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (8.4 g), stearyl acrylate(3.7 g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to sir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C. and stirred for 8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol(5 g) and deionized water (25 g). Gravity filtration of the resultingmixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 13.0%solids, and 2.3% F The emulsion polymer was applied to SMS polypropylenenonwoven fabrics as in Example 2 and was tested for water repellencyusing Test Method 1. Results are in Table 4.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE D

Comparative Example D illustrates the formation of an acrylate emulsioncontaining non-polymerized acrylate modified particles. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g), BRIJ58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (8.4 g), stearyl acrylate(3.7 g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. 3.7 g of vinylidene chloride was then addedto the mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutesfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionizedwater (5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for8 h. A mixture of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g), polyethylene glycolmethacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was then added to the cooledreaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 min followed by the additionof a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionized water (2.5 g) under anitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to 50° C., stirred for 8 hand then sonified in the presence of hexylene glycol (5 g), deionizedwater (25 g) and AEROXIDE R711 (0.05 g). Gravity filtration of theresulting mixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymerwith 13.0% solids, and 2.3% F. The emulsion polymer was applied to SMSpolypropylene nonwoven fabrics as in Example 2 and was tested for waterrepellency using Test Method 1. Results are in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Water Hydrostatic pressure Repellency (mmHg) Comp Example C 3459 (61,195 Pa) Example 2 4 542 (72,261 Pa) Comp Example D 3 500 (66,661Pa)

The data in Table 4 demonstrated that Example 2 wherein the particleswere copolymerized into the polymer structure provided superior waterrepellency and higher hydrostatic pressure than the Comparative ExampleC containing no particles and Comparative Example D havingnon-polymerized particles present.

EXAMPLE 3

In a dry box, a 500 mL Pyrex bottle was charged with diethylene glycol(175 mL, 99%, commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company,Milwaukee, Wis.) and 80 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. Sodium hydride(3.90 g) was added slowly with magnetic stirring until the completion ofhydrogen evolution. The capped bottle was removed from the drybox, andthe solution was transferred to a 400 mL metal shaker tube in a nitrogenfilled glovebag. The shaker tube was cooled to an internal temperatureof −18° C., shaking was started, and perfluoropropylvinyl ether (41 g)was added from a metal cylinder. The mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature and was shaken for 20 h. The reaction mixture was combinedwith a duplicate reaction run in a separate 400 mL shaker tube. Thecombined reaction mixtures were added to 600 mL of water, and thismixture was extracted with 3×200 mL of diethyl ether in a separatoryfunnel. The ether extracts were dried over MgSO₄, filtered, andconcentrated in vacuo on a rotary evaporator to give a liquid (119.0 g)1H NMR in CD₃OD, and analysis by gas chromatography (GC) both showed asmall amount of diethylene glycol. This material was dissolved in 150 mLof diethyl ether and extracted with water (3×150 mL) in a separatoryfunnel. The ether layer was dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentratedin vacuo on a rotary evaporator at high vacuum to give a liquid (99.1 g)of perfluoropropylvinyl ether alcohol (PPVE)[CF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂—CH₂CH₂OH]. 1H NMR (C₆D₆, ppm downfield of TMS) showed97 mole % desired mono-PPVE adduct: 1.77 (broad s, OH), 3.08-3.12 (m,OCH₂CH ₂OCH ₂CH₂OH), 3.42 (t, OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH ₂OH), 3.61 (t, OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH), 5.496 (doublet of triplets, ²JH—F=53 Hz, ³JH—F=3 HzOCF₂CHFOC₃F₇), and 3 mole % of the bis PPVE adduct: 5.470 (doublet oftriplets, ²JH—F=53 Hz, ³JH—F=3 Hz,C₃F7OCHFCF₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCF₂CHFOC₂F₇). The other peaks for the bis PPVEadduct overlapped with the mono PPVE adduct.

Perfluoropropylvinyl ether alcohol, CF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂—CH₂CH₂OH, (400 g)and cyclohexane (308.6 g) were added to a round bottomed flask equippedwith a stir bar, a Dean-Stark trap and an addition funnel.p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (9.2 g) and 4-methoxyphenol (1.4 g)was charge separately to the flask, while the flask was being heated.When the temperature reached 70° C., methacrylic acid (130.4 g) is addeddropwise. After all of the methacrylic acid was added, the flask wasinsulted and the flask temperature was raised to 85° C. Reaction wasmonitored by GC for formation of perfluoropropylvinyl ethermethacrylate. Once all of the perfluoropropylvinyl ether alcohol hadreacted, the flask was cooled to room temperature. The mixture was thentransferred to a separation funnel. The flask was rinsed with ethylether, and the ethyl ether wash was then added to the mixture inseparation funnel. The reaction mixture was washed three times withsodium bicarbonate (150 mL, 10% w/w solution) and ice and the aqueouslayer was removed each time. The reaction mixture was then washed withdeionized water (150 mL), and the aqueous layer was removed. An aliquotof the reaction mixture was taken and analyzed by GC to ensure allunreacted methacrylic acid was removed during the washes. The reactionmixture was transferred to a round bottom flask and magnesium sulfatewas added to dry the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was thenfiltered and the filtered solids were washed with ethyl ether. Thereaction mixture was dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated invacuo on a rotary evaporator at high vacuum to give a liquid (10.1 g).Analysis by GC revealed the reaction mixture wasCF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂.

An emulsion was prepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEXR (2.5 g), BRIJ 58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water), AEROXIDER711 fumed silica particles (0.05 g) pre-sonified inCF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (11.5 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to sir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in ofdeionized water (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was thenheated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h followed by the addition ofhexylene glycol (5 g) and deionized water (25 g). Gravity filtration ofthe resulting mixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsionpolymer with 17.4% solids, and 3.7% F. The emulsion polymer was appliedto spunbond-melt blown-spunbond (SMS) polypropylene fabric availablefrom Kimberly Clark, Roswell, Ga., using a pad bath (dipping) process ata 0.10% loading. The fabric was then allowed to air dry and cure at 248°F. for 3 minutes. The fabric was tested for water repellency accordingto Test Method 1 and 2. Results are listed in Table 5.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE E

Comparative Example E illustrates the formation of an acrylic emulsionhaving no acrylate-modified nanoparticles present. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g), BRIJ58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),CF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (11.6 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to sir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C. and stirred for 8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol(5 g) and deionized water (25 g). Gravity filtration of the resultingmixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 16.0%solids, and 3.4% F. The emulsion polymer was applied to SMSpolypropylene nonwoven fabrics as in Example 3 and was tested for waterrepellency using Test Method 1. Results are in Table 5.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE F

Comparative Example F illustrates the formation of an acrylate emulsioncontaining non-polymerized acrylate modified nanoparticles. An emulsionwas prepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g),BRIJ 58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),CF₃(CF₂)₂OCHFCF₂CH₂CH₂O—C(O)—C(CH₃)═CH₂ (11.6 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7g) and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C., stirred for 8 h and then sonified in the presence of hexyleneglycol (5 g), deionized water (25 g) and AEROXIDE R711 (0.05 g). Gravityfiltration of the resulting mixture using a milk filter resulted in anemulsion polymer with 16.0% solids, and 3.4% F. The emulsion polymer wasapplied to SMS polypropylene nonwoven fabrics as in Example 3 and wastested for water repellency using Test Method 1. Results are in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Water Hydrostatic pressure Repellency (mmHg) Comp Example E 7629 (83,860 Pa) Example 3 9 694 (92,526 Pa) Comp Example F 5 529 (70,528Pa)

The data in Table 5 demonstrated that Example 3 wherein thenanoparticles were copolymerized into the polymer structure providedsuperior water repellency and higher hydrostatic pressure than theComparative Example E containing no nanoparticles and ComparativeExample F having non-polymerized particles present.

EXAMPLE 4

A one gallon reactor was charged with perfluoroethylethyl iodide (PFEEI)(850 g). After cool evacuation, ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene in27:73 ratio were added until pressure reached 60 psig (413.7×103 Pa).The reaction was then heated to 70° C. More ethylene andtetrafluoroethylene in 27:73 ratio were added until pressure reached 160psig (1103×103 Pa). A lauroyl peroxide solution (4 g lauroyl peroxide in150 g perfluoroethylethyl iodide) was added at 1 mL/min rate for 1 hour.Gas feed ratio was adjusted to 1:1 of ethylene and tetrafluoroethyleneand the pressure maintained at 160 psig (1103×103 Pa). After about 67 gof ethylene was added, both ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene feeds werestopped. The reaction was heated at 70° C. for another 8 hours. Thevolatiles were removed by vacuum distillation at room temperature. Amixture of iodides (773 g) was obtained, which contained1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6-octahydroperfluoro-1-iodooctane and1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,9,9,10,10-dodecahydroperfluoro-1-iodododecane as majorcomponents in about 2:1 ratio.

The mixture of iodides (46.5 g) and N-methylformamide (NMF) (273 mL) washeated to 150° C. for 19 hours. The reaction mixture was washed withwater (4×500 mL) to give a residue. A mixture of this residue, ethanol(200 mL), and concentrated hydrochloric acid (1 mL) was gently refluxed(85° C. bath temperature) for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was pouredinto water (300 mL). The solid was washed with water (2×75 mL) and driedunder vacuum (2 torr) to give a mixture of alcohols, 26.5 g, whichcontained 1,2,2,5,5,6,6-octahydroperfluoro-1-octanol and1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,9,9,10,10-dodecahydroperfluoro-1-dodecanol as majorcomponents.

A 500 mL flask was charged with the mixture of alcohols (24.5 g)prepared previously, triethylamine (9.8 g), and tetrahydrofuran (100mL). Acryloyl chloride (8.8 g) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) was added dropwise at about 10° C. Another 40 mL tetrahydrofuran was added and theresulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours, 30° C.for 2 hours. The solid was removed by filtration and washed withtetrahydrofuran (50 mL). The combined filtrate and washer wereconcentrated to give a residue. The residue was mixed with ether (600mL) and ether insoluble solids were removed by filtration. The ethersolution was then washed with NaHCO₃ to almost neutral then water (3×50mL), NaCl (sat.), dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated and dried onvacuum to solid product (19.8 g), which contained1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6-octahydroperfluorooctyl acrylate and1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,9,9,10,10-dodecahydroperfluorododecyl acrylate as majorcomponents (referred to herein as ethylene-tetrafluoroethyleneacrylate).

An emulsion was prepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEXR (2.5 g), BRIJ 58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene acrylate (8.8 g) presonified with AEROXIDER711 fumed silica particles (0.05 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7 g) andacetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C., sonifiedand then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurface nitrogensparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reached atemperature below 32 C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C. and stirred for 8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol(5 g) and deionized water (25 g). Gravity filtration of the resultingmixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 13.5%solids, and 2.3% F. The emulsion polymer was applied to spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) polypropylene fabric available from Kimberly Clark,Roswell, Ga., using a pad bath (dipping) process at a 0.10% loading. Thefabric was then allowed to air dry and cure at 248° F. for 3 minutes.The fabric was tested for water repellency according to Test Method 1and 2. Results are listed in Table 6.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE G

Comparative Example G illustrates the formation of an acrylic emulsionhaving no acrylate-modified nanoparticles present. An emulsion wasprepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g), BRIJ58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene acrylate (8.8 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7 g)and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32 C. Vinylidene chloride (3.7 g) was then added tothe mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutes followedby the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionized water(5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for 8 h.A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9 g),polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) was thenadded to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to sir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C. and stirred for 8 h followed by the addition of hexylene glycol(5 g) and deionized water (25 g). Gravity filtration of the resultingmixture using a milk filter resulted in an emulsion polymer with 13.5%solids, and 2.3% F The emulsion polymer was applied to SMS polypropylenenonwoven fabrics as in Example 4 and was tested for water repellencyusing Test Method 1. Results are in Table 6.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE H

Comparative example H illustrates the formation of an acrylate emulsioncontaining non-polymerized acrylate modified nanoparticles. An emulsionwas prepared by first mixing deionized water (100 g), AVITEX R (2.5 g),BRIJ 58 (2.5 g, 20% by weight in deionized water),ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene acrylate (8.8 g), stearyl acrylate (3.7 g)and acetone (0.9 g). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C.,sonified and then charged into a flask equipped with a subsurfacenitrogen sparge. The mixture was sparged with nitrogen until it reacheda temperature below 32° C. 3.7 g of vinylidene chloride was then addedto the mixture under a nitrogen blanket and stirred for 15 minutesfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.25 g) in deionizedwater (5.0 g). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred for8 h. A mixture of a sonified solution of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (6.9g), polyethylene glycol methacrylate (2.3 g) and acetone (0.5 g) wasthen added to the cooled reaction mixture and allowed to stir for 15 minfollowed by the addition of a solution of VAZO-56 (0.13 g) in deionizedwater (2.5 g) under a nitrogen blanket. The mixture was then heated to50° C., stirred for 8 h and then sonified in the presence of hexyleneglycol (5 g), deionized water (25 g) and AEROXIDE R711 (0.05 g). Gravityfiltration of the resulting mixture using a milk filter resulted in anemulsion polymer with 13.5% solids, and 2.3% F. The emulsion polymer wasapplied to SMS polypropylene nonwoven fabrics as in Example 4 and wastested for water repellency using Test Method 1. Results are in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Water Hydrostatic pressure Repellency (mmHg) Comp Example G 1415 (55,329 Pa) Example 4 3 520 (69,328 Pa) Comp Example H 1 383 (51,062Pa)

The data in Table 6 demonstrated that Example 4 wherein thenanoparticles were copolymerized into the polymer structure providedsuperior water repellency and higher hydrostatic pressure than theComparative Example G containing no nanoparticles and ComparativeExample H having non-polymerized particles present.

1. A fluoropolymer composition comprising monomers copolymerized in thefollowing percentages by weight: (a) from about 20% to about 95% of afluoroalkyl monomer, or mixture of monomers, of formula (I)R_(f) ¹-L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (I) wherein R_(f) ¹ is a monovalent,partially or fully fluorinated, linear or branched, alkyl radical havingfrom about 2 to about 100 carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 toabout 50 oxygen atoms; wherein the ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atomsis at least about 2:1 and no oxygen atoms are bonded to each other; L isa linear or branched divalent linking group having 1 to about 20 carbonatoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 4 hetero-radicals selectedfrom the group consisting or —O—, —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)C(O)—;wherein R¹ is H or C₁-C₆ alkyl; X is —O—, —N R¹—, or —S—; R is hydrogen,Cl, F or CH₃; (b) from about 5% to about 80% of at least one of: (i) analkyl(meth)acrylate monomer having a linear, branched or cyclic alkylgroup of from about 6 to about 18 carbons; or (ii) one or more ionizablewater solvatable monomers; and (c) from about 0.05% to about 2%polymerizable nanoparticles, said composition providing oil repellencyand water repellency to substrates contacted therewith.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein R_(f) ¹ is F(CF₂)_(n),F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂CF₂)_(p),F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(x)[(CF₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)]_(m),F(CF₂)_(n)OF(CF₂)_(n), F(CF₂)_(n)OCFHCF₂, orF(CF₂)_(n)[OCF₂CF(CF₃)]_(p)[OCF₂CF₂]_(q), wherein n is 1 to about 6; xis 1 to about 6; p, q, and m are each independently 1 to about 3, and ris 0 or
 1. 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein L is a bond, R⁵, A,R⁵-A, or ethylene oxide, wherein A is an alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and R⁵ is a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of—S(CH₂)_(u)—,

u is an integer of 2 to about 4; s is an integer of 1 to about 50; andR², R³, and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl groupcontaining 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.
 4. The composition of claim 1wherein formula (I) is selected 20 from the group consisting ofF(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(t)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂, F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH_(2,)F(CF₂)_(n)(CH₂)_(x)[CF₂CF₂)_(p)(CH₂CH₂)_(q)]_(m)(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH_(2,)F(CF₂)_(n)O(CF₂)_(n)CH₂(C_(t)H_(2t))(R⁵)_(r)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH_(2,) andF(CF₂)_(n)OCFHCF₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(v)X—C(O)—C(R)═CH_(2,) wherein n is aninteger of 1 to about 6; t is an integer of 1 to about 10; p, q, and mare each independently an integer of 1 to about 3; r is 0 or 1; v is aninteger of 1 to about 4; R⁵ is a divalent radical selected from thegroup consisting of —S(CH₂)_(u)—,

u is an integer of 2 to about 4; s is an integer of 1 to about 50; andR², R³, and R⁴ are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl groupcontaining 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.
 5. The composition of claim 4wherein n is 4 to 6; p, q, and m are each 1; and r is
 0. 6. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein the one or more ionizable watersolvatable monomers is selected from the group consisting ofM¹OC(O)—C(R)═CH₂, (R¹)₂N-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂,M¹OC(O)-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂, (M¹O)_(3-k)P(O)[-L¹¹-O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂]_(k),M¹OS(O)₂-L¹¹-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂, M¹OS(O)₂-L¹¹-C(R)═CH₂, andM¹OS(O)₂—C(R)═CH₂, M¹OS(O)-L¹¹-C(R)═CH₂ wherein R is hydrogen, Cl, F orCH₃; R¹ is H or C₁-C₆ alkyl; M¹ is a hydrogen or cation; k is 1 or 2;L¹¹ is an organic linking group having from about 2 to about 20 carbonatoms, optionally interrupted by one or two hetero-radicals selectedfrom the group consisting of —O—, —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)C(O)—,and —OC(O)—; and wherein the nitrogen in formula (IIb) is from about 40%to 100% salinized.
 7. The composition of claim 1 further comprising atleast one additional monomer copolymerized in the following percentageby weight: (d) from about 1% to about 35% vinylidene chloride, vinylchloride, or vinyl acetate, or a mixture thereof; or (e) from about 0.5%to about 25% of at least one monomer selected from the group consistingof styrene, methyl-substituted styrene, chloromethyl-substitutedstyrene, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, ethylenediol di(meth)acrylate,N-methyloyl(meth)acrylamide, C₁-C₅ alkyl(meth)acrylate, and a compoundof formula (XX):R⁸(OCH₂CH₂)_(m)O—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (XX) 25 wherein m is 2 to about 10; R⁸is hydrogen, a C₁ to C₄ alkyl, or CH₂═C(R)C(O)—O—; and each R ishydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃; or (f) from about 0.5% to about 10% of at leastone monomer of formula (XXIa), (XXIb) or (XXIc):

wherein each R is independently hydrogen, Cl, F or CH₃; R⁹ is a linearor branched C₁ to C₄ alkyl; B¹ is a divalent linear or branched C₂ to C₄alkylene; B² is a covalent bond or a divalent linear or branched C₁ toC₄ alkylene; and X is —O—, —NR¹—, or —S—; wherein R¹ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl; or (g) 1% to about 35% of any combination of (d), (e), or (f). 8.The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymerizable nanoparticles aresurface modified inorganic oxide particles comprising an oxide of Matoms independently selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zn,Zr, Mn, Al, and combinations thereof; at least one particle having a 20surface covalently bonded to at least one group represented by formula(IV)(L²)_(d)(L³)_(c)Si—(O)_(e)—(R⁷)_(f)-(Z¹)_(a)-[C(X¹)]_(x-(Z) ²)_(l)-Q  (IV) wherein: L² is an oxygen covalently bonded to M; and each L³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of H, a C₁ to C₂ alkyl,and OH; d and c are each independently integers such that: d is greaterthan or equal to 1, c is greater than or equal to 0, and d+c is 3; e, f,a, x, and I are each independently 0 or 1; R⁷ is C₁ to C₁₂ alkyl, linearor branched Z¹ is —NH—; X¹ is O or S; Z² is NH, N—C(O)—OH, N—C(O)— orOCH₂CH₂N—C(O)— provided that when Z² is N—C(O)— or OCH₂CH₂N—C(O)— that Qforms a 5 member heterocyclic ring represented by N—C(O)—CH═CH—C(O)—;and Q is selected from the group consisting of a C₂-C₁₂ hydrocarbyleneoptionally interrupted by —O—C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or one divalent organicgroup.
 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymerizablenanoparticles have ethylenically unsaturated moieties linked to theparticle, said moieties selected from the group consisting of(meth)acrylates, maleates, maleimides, fumerates, and unsaturatedhydrocarbons including styrenes and substituted styrenes, vinyl, allyland dienes.
 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymerizablenanoparticles comprise inorganic oxides of Si, Ti, Zn, Mn, Al, or Zr.11. The copolymer composition of claim 1 wherein the polymerizablenanoparticles are inorganic oxides of Si.
 12. The composition of claim11 wherein the polymerizable nanoparticles are inorganic oxides of Sicontaining acrylate groups.
 13. The copolymer composition of claim 1wherein the polymerizable nanoparticles have an average particle size offrom about 10 to about 500 nm.
 14. A method of treating a fibroussubstrate comprising applying to the surface of the substrate afluoropolymer composition comprising monomers copolymerized in thefollowing percentages by weight: (a) from about 20% to about 95% of afluoroalkyl monomer, or mixture of monomers, of formula (I)R_(f) ¹-L-X—C(O)—C(R)═CH₂   (I) wherein R_(f) ¹ is a monovalent,partially or fully fluorinated, linear or branched, alkyl radical havingfrom about 2 to about 100 carbon atoms; optionally interrupted by 1 toabout 50 oxygen atoms; wherein the ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atomsis at least about 2:1 and no oxygen atoms are bonded to each other; L isa linear or branched divalent linking group having 1 to about 20 carbonatoms; optionally interrupted by 1 to about 4 hetero-radicals selectedfrom the group consisting or —O—, —NR¹—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)C(O)—;wherein R¹ is H or C₁-C₆ alkyl; X is —O—, —N R¹—, or —S—; R is hydrogen,Cl, F or CH₃; (b) from about 5% to about 80% of at least one of: (i) analkyl(meth)acrylate monomer having a linear, branched or cyclic alkylgroup of from about 6 to about 18 carbons; or (ii) one or more ionizablewater solvatable monomers; and (c) from about 0.05% to about 2%polymerizable nanoparticles, said composition providing oil repellencyand water repellency to substrates contacted therewith.
 15. The methodof claim 14 wherein the fluoropolymer composition has a concentration offrom about 5 g/L to about 100 g/L in water.
 16. A fibrous substratetreated according to the method of claim
 14. 17. The substrate of claim16 which is woven and nonwoven fibers, yarns, fabrics, fabric blends,textiles, nonwovens, paper, leather, rugs and carpets.